Trading Dwight Howard for LeBron James makes sense

Even Heat would have to ponder blockbuster

The Magic will be asking the world for Dwight Howard now that he clearly wants to move on.

When you have the league's most-coveted free agent and, arguably, its best player, you should.

Otis Smith wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't.

Smith has given Howard's agent permission to speak with three teams (Lakers, Nets and Mavericks) and bring back a deal for his consideration.

Sadly, Howard wants out, period.

It's deja Shaq.

The Magic will look beyond Dwight's shopping list. They should try to trade him for another superstar.

The only thing these teams can say to Smith is "no," right?

Sounds absurd? A fantasy basketball trade?

But aren't stars on the move and joining forces everywhere? Why not swap them, straight up, ace for ace.

Let me ask you this: If you're Pat Riley, don't tell me you wouldn't think long and hard if the Magic called to talk about swapping Dwight for LeBron?

Sure, handing Dwight over to the state nemesis for LeBron James would be gut-wrenching for Magic and Heat fans. But if the franchises also take the emotion out of it -- and past petty bitterness -- it's actually a great deal for both teams.

Miami made it to The Finals last season, but lost to the Mavs. LeBron struggled in crunch-time. Sidekick Dwyane Wade won a title with a big man named Shaq, if you remember.

It might be hard for Riley to look an irate LeBron in the eye after romancing him to sign, and the King wouldn't be happy about taking his talents to Orlando.

But The Decision to pair Howard with Wade and Dwight's buddy, Chris Bosh, would give the Heat more balance, less duplication. They'd prosper with fewer jump-shots and more dunks and blocks with Howard.

A team with three stars like the Heat can swap one and get even better.

For the Magic, it would be the best compensation any club ever received for a superstar free agent.

They would build around the electric, seat-selling King James, the league's best all-around threat and a recruiting magnate.

The Magic would remain relevant, and become a contender quickly. Stars might be more willing to sun themselves in Orlando than Cleveland, LeBron's old, icy stomping grounds.

The move would cost the Magic a few million more because of the trade kicker (bonus) in James' contract if he's dealt, but the investment would be worth it.

(Smith also would have to apologize for hours to LeBron after publicly criticizing his move from the Cavs.)

There are several ways to win a title in the NBA, but many banners are won with great big men: Russell's Celtics, Kareem's Lakers, Shaq's Lakers, Tim Duncan's Spurs.

The Heat are trying to win the way the Bulls won --- with no dominant center. They have their Big Three while the Bulls had Michael and Scottie and terrific role players.

The Magic understand what Phil Jackson understood a few years ago when asked which player he would pick to start a franchise. He chose Howard.

There is no better building block than Dwight. Not LeBron, not Kevin Durant, not Derrick Rose.

The Magic would be doing themselves and fans a disservice to not ask for the moon --- or the stars. And in this case, LeBron.

Howard's ghostly record

Howard will become the Magic's all-time leading scorer --- barring an injury or, ahem, a trade. He needs 329 points to overtake franchise leader Nick Anderson.

Let's say his steady improvement at the free-throw line allows him to average 24 points per game, up from last season's 22.9. He would need about 14 or 15 games to claim Nick's record.

Yeah, the storyline could be bittersweet and awkward.

I expect the Magic will handle the achievement with class, honoring him during a home game. How the fans might react will be interesting.

Just imagine: Howard could leave as the Magic's career leader in scoring, rebounds and blocks -- in other words, as their most accomplished player.

No jersey ceremony

For a variety of reasons, the great ones -- Shaq, Penny, T-Mac, Dwight (?) -- never stick around Orlando long.

Their uniform numbers never will be retired, considering their ugly, bitter exits. They probably won't think about it until they are old and rocking by the fire.

As a rule, jersey retirements for stars are based on longevity and loyalty with one team.

The latest wave of free-agent defectors (LeBron, Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire) better realize that their jerseys have better chances to be burned (like LeBron's was), although a disillusioned LeBron last season embraced the idea of the Cavs retiring his No. 6.

"Wow. Of course," James said. "If that's something that organization and franchise would do, I'm all respectful of that. I just tried to be the best player I could be every night, whether I was in that Cavalier uniform, that USA uniform. If that results in me having my jersey retired that would be great."

Are you kidding? LeBron needed extra security for his safety when he returned to play in Cleveland.

This 'n' That

The Magic waived Gilbert Arenas, using their amnesty application. The move will help defray their luxury-tax and salary-cap totals. They still have to pay Arenas the $64 million owed him. Yes, only in the NBA can you get paid for doing nothing. Don't you wish you somebody could amnesty you, too? …Howard was asked about the infamous phone call he received from former Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide. Vander Weide conceded he might have had a few too many drinks when he dialed up Dwight. Howard wouldn't reveal the conversation or say Bob was tipsy, but cracked, "Do they have phone breathalyzers?"….Glen "Big Baby" Davis is expected to arrive to Orlando in a sign-and-trade, hopefully not by barge.